Although the changes are small, Jasper public schools are facing declining enrolment for the 2009/2010 school year.

Because Alberta funds education on a per student basis, the schools are looking at new ways to fund those gaps.

Jasper Elementary School is facing a five per cent drop in students, reducing its number from 231 to 219 students. Principal Raymond Blanchette-Dube said this is a trend the school has been facing during the past few years, and said the projections have been consistent. Split classes could become more common if numbers continue to decline.

“We have a general idea of where we’re going,” Blanchette-Dube said.

The school could handle 20 per cent more students, the principal said, and he’s hoping for more students to enrol over the summer.

School funding is based on the number of students enrolled in the school on Sept. 30, 2009. Blanchette-Dube did not comment if the numbers would affect staffing levels.

There are five fewer students enrolled in the school’s french immersion program.
Jasper Jr. and Sr. High School enrolment is dropping by one student - down 241 to 240, however they are also losing four international students. Principal Mark Crozier said the international student program helps the school’s bottom line, as they pay more in tuition than what the Alberta government gives the school per student.

Crozier is preparing for the future decline, as the number of Grade 7 students coming into the high school will drop. He said if the trend continues, combining classes may become an option.

“We may have to combine classes for some of the electives ... Usually we have two Grade 7 classes, but with numbers coming in at 28 or 29, we may be able to combine those.”

The high school is funded based on the number of classes students take. “Our students take a lot of courses, and that helps us offer programs that aren’t available at a lot of other small schools,” Crozier said.

It takes 21 students to pay for a course, he said, however additional funding allows for smaller classes.

“This year, we’re offering Physics 30, an important science class even though it only has seven students. We have jazz band, which the community is happy with, with 11 students,” Crozier said.

This will also mark the beginning of the French Immersion program at the high school. Twelve students will be attending french immersion classes next year at the secondary level.

Jasper’s enrolment drop was moderate compared to the rest of the Grande Yellowhead Regional School Division. Evergreen school is projecting a 15 per cent drop, while Grand Trunk High School is anticipating an 11 per cent drop. On a whole, the school board is projecting a 2.62 per cent drop in enrolment.